Having excess skin at the ends of a tummy tuck incision is not uncommon. The excess skin and fat of the abdomen does not end at the sides of the body. The excess skin unfortunately follows the natural curve around the body----fatty excess over the hips and makes up the flanks. The abdominoplasty incision is kept as short as possible to gain the greatest result. Sometimes to take up the extra skin on the flanks to "complete" the tummy tuck, the incisions extend laterally. When a patient is laying on the OR table and surgery is performed, the plastic surgeon in his/her best judgement cuts and tailors the closure as best as can be done. When you stand up after the surgery and the healing time has gone at least 4 months, sometimes there are small excess areas of skin at the very ends of the incisions---these are affectionately known as dog-ears. Incising these dog--ears is an easy in-office procedure. I explain to the patient prior to a tummy tuck that there may be small excess areas of skin that may need to be trimmed after the surgery. How big, small depends on the patient. I explain that I have to trim these dog ears in less than 1 out of a hundred tummy tucks I perform. Telling the patient up front allays much of anxiety should these dog ears need to be trimmed at a later date. It is no reflection on the quality of the surgeon nor is it indicative of a "bad surgery." The real key is to have a good rapport with your surgeon. "Dog ear" policy differs practice to practice. Good luck!
If you are truly asking about minor "dog ears" than a week at most. But if you need a larger lateral excision plan on 2 weeks.
